Editing Keratomileusis (section)

{{Short description|Surgical reshaping of the cornea}}
{{Medref|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox interventions |
  Name        = Keratomileusis |
  Image       = |
  Caption     = |
  ICD10       = |
  ICD9        = {{ICD9proc|11.71}} |
  MeshID      = |
  synonyms  = Corneal reshaping|
}}
'''Keratomileusis''', from Greek κέρας (kéras: horn) and σμίλευσις (smíleusis: carving),<ref>The word is derived from Greek κέρας - keras (root: kerat-) "horn, cornea" and σμίλευσις - smileusis "carving" [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keratomileusis].</ref> or '''corneal reshaping''', is the improvement of the [[Refraction|refractive]] state of the [[cornea]] by surgically reshaping it. It is the most common form of [[refractive surgery]]. The first usable technique was developed by [[Jose Barraquer|José Ignacio Barraquer]], commonly called "the father of modern refractive surgery."<ref>{{Cite web |title=José I. Barraquer |url=https://isrs.online/profile/jose-i-barraquer/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=International Society of Refractive Surgery}}</ref>

The most common modern procedure, [[LASIK]], is performed through lifting the front surface of the [[human eye|eye]] by forming a thin hinged flap under which the shape of the cornea is changed by using an [[excimer laser]] or other surgical device. A [[microkeratome]] is usually used to cut the flap, but a [[1 E-15 s|femtosecond]] laser can also be used to make the flap.{{cn|date=March 2023}}

Before the advent of the excimer laser, keratomileusis was done using a [[cryolathe]], which froze thin flaps of corneal tissue and lathe cut them much like one cuts the lens of a pair of glasses. After thawing, these reshaped flaps were placed under the front flap to reshape the cornea.{{cn|date=March 2023}}